Yes we were called to duty today with a 500 bed kit weekend delivery to the village. This group of 500 kids were more communicative (ie: less shy) than most others. 2.5 hours there and back - very rough roads (mostly unpaved with huge potholes - rarely drove straight for more than 100 meters or so without having to zig or zag around monstrous potholes. We have never once made it over 80km / hour during the 2.5 hour drives but that is not a reflection of our driver Messah who is top notch. At about 50km north of Lome is where the apparent attempt at paved roads ends and from there plod forward on smaller and smaller roads of red earth. The drives are the hardest parts of the day without doubt for which we are lucky when we have a delivery that includes less than a 90 minute drive. The returns are also a challenge as we are hot, sweaty, and starving. Our group leader was initially not into us having the cook prepare us sandwiches, (long stretch from 7:00 to 2:30 at the earliest) but I pulled him aside, had a chat, and now have 1/2 a baguette with ham or tuna and cheese, tomato, and lettuce etc. We are on the road early and the van is uncomfortable but that's the way it is.
This afternoon we visited a non-profit orphanage for kids from 4 to 15. I was concerned going there as I did not know to to be prepared for from an emotional perspective. There was no need to worry. The people who ran the orphange were some of the most dedicated people I have ever met in my life. They are on their own for funding and they have to beg, borrow, lobby to keep the place open. They are just outside of downtown in a rented cement 3 story building that is in need of some repair but is solid. There are a28 children that range from 6 to 14 years of age. They put on a great show of dance with both traditional and modern interpretive dancing for us. We were invited up onto the open flat roof where the dancing and music took place. A surreal experience. Our intent going into the visit was to spend 20 minutes, shake hands and drop off some gifts, hear their story, make stretched promises, etc. But thanks to their gratitude to "les blancs" we stayed 2 hours and what started off as a formal presentation to us was heading towards party status when we left with 4 local chaps (a band) playing drums and the ever present boom box was warmed up. They had white university student from a Quebec university doing her co-op at the orphanage who was a dancer and taught them some hip-hop routines (both boys and girls)! Go figure. The folks that run the orphanage were beyond words with gratitude and I can't count the number of handshakes and hugs I received. Kids were truly beautiful and full of regular kid spunk. The adults are unbelievably dedicated to these abandoned kids. They are proud that their efforts have also allowed orphans in need of surgery to be taken care of - something unheard of in the villages. Indeed, some sad stories heard but their faces and entertainment made this side trip one of my trip highlights.
Ended a very long day with SCAW taking the whole local support team out for a nice dinner.
Closing thought at end of day?
Time really does fly by when one is engaged in something they enjoy. We are now well pass the half way point with 3,500 kits delivered and it seems like I left but 3, not 10 days ago. Tiring - yes, uncomfortable - yes,, , but extremely rewarding. I am glad I came.
Phosphates is the largest export of Togo which is the 13th greatest producer in the world.
We were honoured to have the local tribal king provide us with a certificate of thanks as well as other small gifts.
A beautiful people.
Largest picture ever taken by SCAW (this the 6th visit) with 100 kids in one shot. Took 1/2 hour to set things up.
One of our workstations was tasked with interviewing 3 families a day to get feed back on kits and future needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment